By Decker Lavely
Children and parents cheered as Georgia Moore walked through the doors of the Community Cafe, 2444 Central Ave., for Drag Queen Story Hour on Jan. 26.
Moore wore a glimmering necklace with two bracelets and a bejeweled pink evening gown. Her eyeshadow and lipstick were a matching shade. The children crowded around her as she welcomed them and began to read “Will You Be My Friend?” by Nancy Tafuri.
Drag Queen Story Hour is a program made up of drag queens who read to children in communities nationwide while educating them about the value of diversity and the appreciation of differences.
Some children were dressed up with colorful headbands as they cuddled with stuffed animals while Moore read them a second story. Her choice was “Where’s Peter Rabbit?” by Beatrix Potter.
Both stories she read involved topics of friendship and love. After the reading, Moore colored pictures of rabbits with the kids as they called her a princess.
“I believe (story hour) teaches children the power of togetherness and acknowledging the differences that each human has,” she said.
Moore has only been involved with Drag Queen Story Hour for a short time, but she said she has already recognized its impact in the St. Petersburg community.
As a teacher, Moore is passionate about working with children and sharing the value of diversity, multiculturalism and acceptance.
“This program is special because it allows kids to tap into something new and different,” Moore said. “It really goes back to the community idea that the stronger we are, the better we are.”
Drag queen Samaya Sinsation is the organizer of story hour at the Community Cafe. She was asked by two previous coordinators to take on the organization’s duties in St. Petersburg.
Throughout her experience with the program, Sinsation said she has seen the turnout of children grow.
“I have been at every single (story hour), and they all had a couple of kids, but when I was coming here today, my mouth dropped open because there were so many kids here,” she said. “I was not expecting it, but I am so grateful for it.”
The library was the site of two previous Drag Queen Story Hours in St. Petersburg. However, since it is a public space, religious protestors were able to demonstrate in the room of the event, Sinsation said.
Sinsation decided to move the story hour to the Community Cafe because it is a welcoming and comfortable spot for kids and their parents, she said. This was the third time the event took place at the cafe.
Protesters have been at every story hour event in St. Petersburg, but at the Community Cafe, volunteers danced to music in front of them to help spread love and positivity.
“I don’t worry about what is out there … because that is all on them,” Moore said. “But we can fix this by sharing with kids that love will win overall.”
The next Drag Queen Story Hour St. Petersburg will be at 1 p.m. on Feb. 16 at the Community Cafe.
